The Overcoat and Other Short Stories #

Nikolai Gogol #

March 23, 2023

4/5

The collection of stories here were indeed rather interesting. Firstly I will note that quite often there are references to “little Russia”, of which I will ignore the political consequences in this r. They are rather big consequences, and they are interesting considerations. I actually learned of Nikolai Gogol first through those consequences, through an article by the New Yorker.

The stories themselves were very charming otherwise, and often very humorous. There were quite a few moments I caught myself laughing, as opposed to just smiling or exhaling with a small degree of sharpness.

Particularly enjoyable was the story “The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarelled with Ivan Nikiforovich”, which was the main cause for much of my laughter. The first story too, “Old Fashioned Farmers”, was a very pleasant read.

I do recommend that these stories may be read, more so for pleasure and enjoyment, so long as you are able and willing to ignore certain choice wording.